Return line in-tank filter assembly with disposable filter element

ABSTRACT

An in-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank includes a filter assembly mount with tank coupling elements to secure the assembly mount to a tank, and wherein the mount includes an inlet connection configured to be coupled to the an inlet line of the tank; a bypass structure configured to selectively open allowing flow to flow around the filter element into the tank in bypass operation; and a disposable filter element including at least a top end cap and a bottom end cap with filter media extending between the top end cap and a lower end cap, wherein the filter assembly forms a bowl-less in tank return line filter having inside-out flow.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No.62/807,779 filed Feb. 20, 2019, titled “Disposable In-Tank Filter withIntegral Return Line Forming the Tank Inlet and Integral BypassAssembly”, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to in-tank filter assemblies.

Background Information

Industrial fluid systems, such as hydraulic fluid systems, typicallyinclude a fluid reservoir in which returning fluid is filtered beforeentering the reservoir tank. The replaceable filter element in sometanks is set into a molded filter bowl receiving the replaceable filterelement, while other deigns utilize a complete filter housing assembly.

As further background U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,116,454; 6,475,380, 6,508,271 and7,252,759 disclose hydraulic reservoir designs that incorporate specificin-tank filter assemblies therein, and these patents are incorporatedherein by reference. The filter assemblies can be on the outlet lines,as shown in the '454 patent or in the inlet lines as shown in the '380and '271 patents. A filter assembly on the outlet or suction side of ahydraulic reservoir is generally a filter element formed by a simplestrainer. Placing the filter assembly in the inlet or return lines thatextends to the reservoir, as shown in the '271, '380 and '759 patentsprovides certain advantages relating to the energy required byfiltration and returning of the fluid to the reservoir.

The large majority of in-tank filter elements for hydraulic reservoirsutilize a return line filter element of some kind. One known or commonexample is a forming a partition or separate bowl structure within thehydraulic reservoir and incorporating a top mounted, or drop-in, filterelement therein. A similar known configuration is to have the filterelement as part of a larger filter assembly with integrated bowl whichis “dropped” into the top of the container with the return linesconnected directly to the head of the filter assembly. This filterelement is also a top mounted structure. The term “top mounted” refersto access or mounting direction in that the filter element is accessedand replaced through the top of the reservoir, such as in the '271 and'759 patents. See also U.S. Pat. No. 10,525,385.

There remains a need in the art for a reducing the cost space and weightof in-tank filter assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is achieved according to oneembodiment of the present invention by providing an in-tank filterassembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank includes a filterassembly mount with tank coupling elements to secure the assembly mountto a tank, and wherein the mount includes an inlet connection configuredto be coupled to the an inlet line of the tank; a bypass structureconfigured to selectively open allowing flow to flow around the filterelement into the tank in bypass operation; and a disposable filterelement including at least a top end cap and a bottom end cap withfilter media extending between the top end cap and a lower end cap,wherein the filter assembly forms a bowl-less in tank return line filterhaving inside-out flow.

One aspect of the invention provides an in-tank filter assembly for anindustrial fluid reservoir tank including a filter assembly mount withtank coupling elements to secure the assembly mount to a tank, a hexshaped portion to facilitate the coupling and uncoupling of the filterassembly with the tank, an inlet tube extending above the hex shapedportion and an inlet connection coupled to the inlet tube configured tobe coupled to the an inlet line of the tank; a bypass structureconfigured to selectively open allowing flow to flow around the filterelement into the tank in bypass operation, positioned in the mountforming an elevated flow path that avoids having contaminants within theinterior space of the filter element from flowing into the interior ofthe tank during bypass operation; and a filter element mount extendingfrom the bypass structure with the filter element coupled to the filterelement mount; and a disposable filter element including at least a topend cap and a bottom end cap with filter media extending between the topend cap and a lower end cap, wherein the filter assembly forms abowl-less in tank return line filter having inside-out flow and a filterelement coupling and wherein the filter element mount is threaded andcooperates with threads on the filter element coupling to remove-ablysecure the filter element to the filter assembly.

The features that characterize the present invention are pointed outwith particularity in the claims which are part of this disclosure.These and other features of the invention, its operating advantages andthe specific objects obtained by its use will be more fully understoodfrom the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a return line in-tank filter assemblywith disposable filter element according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1B is a side elevation section view of the return line in-tankfilter assembly with disposable filter element according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an enlarged side elevation section view of the tank couplingend of the return line in-tank filter assembly with disposable filterelement according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a side elevation view of the return line in-tank filterassembly with disposable filter element according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a return line in-tank filter assemblywith disposable filter element according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B is a side elevation section view of the return line in-tankfilter assembly with disposable filter element according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an enlarged side elevation section view of the tank couplingend of the return line in-tank filter assembly with disposable filterelement according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a return line in-tank filter assemblywith disposable filter element according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3B is a side elevation section view of the return line in-tankfilter assembly with disposable filter element according to FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged side elevation section view of the in-tank end ofthe return line in-tank filter assembly with disposable filter elementaccording to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a return line in-tank filter assemblywith disposable filter element according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4B is a side elevation section view of the return line in-tankfilter assembly with disposable filter element according to FIG. 4A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a return line filter for an industrial fluidreservoir, most commonly a hydraulic fluid reservoir or tank, andprovides an in-tank filter assembly 10, 110, 210 and 310 with disposablefilter element.

A first embodiment of the in-tank filter assembly 10 with disposablefilter element of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1A-D.

The in-tank filter assembly 10 includes a filter assembly mount 14 withtank coupling elements 16 to secure the assembly mount 14 to the tank12. The tank 12 is actually shown as an insert, or weld ring, thatitself is coupled to the tank or reservoir proper. This separateconstruction of the insert for the tank allows the insert to be formedwith elements cooperating with the tank coupling elements 16. Howeverfor this application the terms tank or reservoir or insert can be usedinterchangeably. The tank coupling elements 16 may be any conventionalsecuring elements, such as locking lugs shown or threads or the like.The lugs of elements 16 are received in grooves in the insert or tank 12and twisted to lock the mount 14 in position.

The mount 14 further includes a sealing flange 18 configured to allowfor sealing against cooperating surfaces of the tank 12 (or insert). Asshown the flange 18 can receive a sealing O-ring or seal that radiallyseals against the tank. The receipt of the mount 14 including the tankcoupling elements cooperating with elements 16 and the surfacecooperating with flange 18 are essentially the only tank features neededon the tank 12 to accommodate the filter assembly 10 of the presentinvention and this greatly simplifies the tank design and construction.The use of an insert, or weld ring, on the tank further simplifies theapplication of the present invention to a wide variety of tanks.

The mount 14 includes a hex shaped portion 20 to facilitate the couplingand uncoupling of the filter assembly 10 with the tank 12. The mount 14includes an inlet tube 20 extending above the hex shaped portion. Aninlet connection 24 is coupled to the inlet tube 20 through spiralspring connectors 26 that are received in a groove. The inlet connection24 is coupled to an inlet line of the reservoir in a conventionalfashion. Forming the inlet connection as separate from the remainingportions of the mount 14 allows the filter assembly to accommodatedifferent sized inlet hoses/lines. In other words the same filterassembly 10 can be used with different sized inlet hoses by merelyreplacing the inlet connection 24 with the appropriate sized inlet.Further the inlet connection can be replaced with distinct hosecouplings, like barb connections, if desired.

The filter assembly 10 includes a bypass structure 30 in the mount 14which positioning yields an elevated flow path that avoids havingcontaminants within the interior space of the filter element fromflowing into the interior of the tank during bypass operation. Thegeneral formation and structure of the bypass is known, namely a springbiased member remains closed in conventional operation but as upstreampressure builds (due to clogging of the filter media) the spring isovercome and the bypass opens allowing flow to flow around the filterelement into the tank in bypass operation.

The filter assembly 10 includes a filter element mount 32 extending fromthe bypass structure 30 for coupling a disposable filter element to thefilter assembly. The filter element mount 32 is threaded and cooperateswith threads on a disposable filter element coupling 34 to remove-ablysecure the filter element to the filter assembly 10.

The filter coupling 34 is attached to the top end cap 40 of thedisposable filter element, with filter media 42 and external supportwrap 44 extending between the top or upper end cap 40 and a lower orbottom end cap 46. The terms top and upper are used interchangeably inthis application as are the terms bottom and lower. The construction ofthe filter media 42 and the support wrap 44 is generally known in theart. For example the media 42 can be formed of a number of desiredfilter media and generally is a multi-layer structure.

The lower end cap 46 supports an inner fluid diverter 48 to modulateflow within the element, and a perforated outlet wrap 50 spaced from theouter support wrap 44 and media 42 also extending between the top endcap 40 and a lower end cap 46.

The filter assembly 10 includes an inlet closing valve 54 that can seatagainst a sealing surface 56 to close off the inlet. The disposablefilter element includes a valve opening stem 52 attached to the coupling34 and engaging with the valve 54 when the filter element is coupled tothe filter assembly. The inlet closing valve is helpful to prevent fluidspillage from residual fluid in the inlet line during disposable filterelement change-out or replacement. Namely the valve 54 will seal againstsurface 56 closing off the inlet when the filter element is removed, viaoperational or spring pressure (not shown).

The valve 54 has a built in failure mode that it breaks off at areasonable operational pressure to prevent the system from causing otherupstream problems should the filter element not be replaced and themount returned into engagement without a filter element (and thuswithout opening the valve 54). In the failure mode the valve 54 willhave a component break and fold down to open the fluid pathway whilestill maintaining the valve components with the mount 14 so that piecesof the broken valve do not flow into the tank and downstream.

The inlet closing valve 54 could also be formed to be spring biased intothe closed position with operational pressure in the inlet (higher thanhead pressure of residual fluid) sufficient to open the valve. Thisalternative allows the stem to be optional. The present design issomewhat easier to configure.

The filter element is an inside-out flow design in operation as shown.In operation the filter assembly 10 acts as a bowl-less or housing lessin tank return line filter. The filter element is disposable, with thefilter element comprising the combination of filter coupling 34, top endcap 40, filter media 42, external support wrap 44, lower end cap 46,inner fluid diverter 48, perforated outlet wrap 50 and valve openingstem 52. During replacement the filter element mount 14 is removed fromthe tank 12. The filter element is unthreaded from the mount 14. Withthe removal of the old filter element the inlet closing valve 54 closespreventing dripping of fluid from the inlet line during the change out.A new disposable filter element (also formed by filter coupling 34, topend cap 40, filter media 42, external support wrap 44, lower end cap 46,inner fluid diverter 48, perforated outlet wrap 50 and valve openingstem 52) is threaded onto the mount 14 and the mount 14 is reattached tothe tank 12. The mount 14 and associated structure is maintained and noinlet reattachment is required with the filter assembly 10. The mount 14may be formed of metal or other sufficient material and the cost offorming this is less critical because it is not being replaced.

A second embodiment of the in-tank filter assembly 110 with disposablefilter element of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2A-C.

The in-tank filter assembly 110 includes a filter assembly mount 114with tank coupling elements 116 to secure the assembly mount 114 to thetank 12. The tank 12 (or insert therefore) is generally shown in FIGS.1A-D. The tank coupling elements 116 may be any conventional securingelements, such as threads as shown in FIGS. 2A-C or lugs shown in FIGS.1A-D or the like. The mount 114 as shown provides for a threadedconnection with elements 116 to the reservoir or tank 12, specificallyusing a knuckle thread, which are an unusual highly rounded thread form.The large space between the rounded crests and roots provides space fordebris to not interfere with the thread, making this form resistant todebris and thread damage. This thread type minimizes cross threading andyields a leak-free connection.

The mount 114 further includes a sealing flange 118 configured to allowfor sealing against cooperating surfaces of the tank 12 (or insert). Asshown the flange 118 can receive a sealing O-ring or seal that sealsagainst the tank. The receipt of the mount 114 including the tankcoupling elements cooperating with elements 116 and the surfacecooperating with flange 118 are essentially the only tank featuresneeded on the tank 12 to accommodate the filter assembly 110 of thepresent invention and this greatly simplifies the tank design andconstruction.

The mount 114 includes a hex shaped portion 120 to facilitate thecoupling and uncoupling of the filter assembly 110 with the tank. Themount 114 includes an inlet tube 120 extending above the hex shapedportion 120. An inlet connection 124 extends from the inlet tube 122 andin this embodiment is integrally formed therewith. The inlet connection124 is coupled to an inlet line in a conventional fashion. The inletconnection 124 uses a quick hose connection such as a hose barb, oralternatively a quick disconnect plug, to allow for easy connection anddisconnection with the return line. The filter assembly 110 forms theinlet connection for the reservoir.

The filter assembly 110 includes a bypass structure 130 in the mount114. As with assembly 10, the positioning of bypass structure 130 yieldsan elevated flow path that avoids having contaminants within theinterior space of the filter element from flowing into the interior ofthe tank during bypass operation. The general formation and structure ofthe bypass 130 is known, namely a spring biased member remains closed inconventional operation but as upstream pressure builds (due to cloggingof the filter media) the spring is overcome and the bypass opensallowing flow to flow around the filter element into the tank in bypassoperation.

The filter assembly 110 includes a filter element mount 132 extendingfrom the bypass structure 130 for coupling the filter element to thedisposable filter assembly 110. The filter element mount 132 is attachedto the top end cap 140, with filter media 142 and external support wrap144 extending between the top end cap 140 and a lower end cap 146. Thelower end cap 46 supports an inner fluid diverter 148 to modulate flowwithin the element, and a perforated outlet wrap 150 spaced from theouter support wrap 144 also extending between the top end cap 140 and alower end cap 146. The construction of the filter media 142, the outersupport wrap 144 and perforated outer wrap 150 is generally known in theart.

The filter element of assembly 110 is an inside out flow design inoperation as shown. In operation the filter assembly 110 acts as abowl-less or housing less in tank return line filter. The filterassembly 110, including the integral filter element, is disposable. Forreplacement, the filter mount 114 is removed from the tank 12 and theinlet hose removed from the inlet connection 124. The inlet hose iscoupled to the inlet connection 124 of the replacement assembly 110 andthe mount 114 thereof attached to the tank 12. The entire assembly 110,including the mount 114, is disposable and thus molding the mount 114may be desirable for cost considerations.

A third embodiment of the in-tank filter assembly 210 with disposablefilter element of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3A-C.

The in-tank filter assembly 210 includes a filter assembly mount 214(which may be molded) with tank coupling elements 216 to secure theassembly mount 214 to the tank 12. The mount 214 as shown provides for athreaded connection with elements 216 to the reservoir or tank 12 asdiscussed above. The mount 214 further includes a sealing flange 218configured to allow for sealing against cooperating surfaces of the tank12 (or insert).

The mount 214 includes a hex shaped portion 220 to facilitate thecoupling and uncoupling of the filter assembly 210 with the tank 12. Themount 214 includes an inlet tube 220 extending above the hex shapedportion 220. An inlet connection 224 extends from the inlet tube 222 andin this embodiment, like the second embodiment, is integrally formedtherewith. The inlet connection 224 uses a quick hose connection such asa hose barb, or alternatively a quick disconnect plug, to allow for easyconnection and disconnection with the return line. The filter assembly210 itself, similar to the assembly 110, forms the inlet connection forthe reservoir.

The filter assembly 210 includes a bypass structure 230 in a bottom endcap 246, which is a different position than the bypass 30 and 130 ofassemblies 10 and 110 above. The general formation and structure of thebypass 230 is known, namely a spring biased member wherein the bypassselectively opens allowing flow to flow around the filter element intothe tank in bypass operation.

With the lower bypass 230 location, the filter assembly 210 includes thetop end cap 240 as integral with the mount 214. The top end cap 240 mayeffectively be considered the lower surface of the mount 214. Filtermedia 242 and external support wrap 244 extend between the top end cap240 and a lower end cap 246. The lower end cap 246 supports the bypass230 as discussed above, and an outer shroud 250 spaced from the outersupport wrap 244 and the media 242 and is also extending between the topend cap 240 and a lower end cap 246. The construction of the filtermedia 242 and the outer support wrap 244 is known in the art.

The outer shroud 250 includes lower outlets 252 and differs from theperforated outer wraps 150 or 50 above. The outer shroud 250 extendsfrom the endcap 240 and directs returning fluid that flows through thefilter element to a position typically below fluid tank level in thetank before the fluid leaves the shroud 250 via outlets 252.

The filter element of assembly 210, like assembly 110 and 10, is aninside out flow design in operation as shown. In operation the filterassembly 210 acts as a bowl-less or housing less in tank return linefilter. The filter assembly 210, including the integral filter element,is disposable, like assembly 110. For replacement, the filter mount 214is removed from the tank 12 and the inlet hose removed from the inletconnection 224. The inlet hose is coupled to the inlet connection 224 ofthe replacement assembly 210 and the mount 214 thereof attached to thetank 12. The entire assembly 210, including the mount 214, is disposableand thus molding the mount 214 may be desirable for cost considerations.

A fourth embodiment of the in-tank filter assembly 310 with disposablefilter element of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4A-B. Assembly310 includes elements similar to assembly 210 above including a filterassembly mount 314 (which may be molded), threaded tank couplingelements 316, a sealing flange 318, a hex shaped portion 320, an inlettube 320, an inlet connection 324, a bypass structure 330 a top end cap340 (integral with the mount 314), filter media 342 and a lower end cap346. The lower end cap 346 supports the bypass 330. The filter elementshown in assembly 310 does not specifically include an outer supportwrap, but an inner or outer support may be provided depending upon themedia type used.

The outer shroud 350 is spaced from the media 342 and extends from thetop end cap 240 but not from the lower end cap 346. The outer shroud 350differs from shroud 250 as it does not include lower outlets 252, and isnot supported by the lower endcap 346. The outer shroud 350 extends fromthe endcap 340, namely from the coupling threads 316, and directsreturning fluid that flows through the filter element to a positiontypically below fluid tank level in the tank before the fluid leaves theshroud 350 via the space between the lower end cap 346 and the shroud350.

The filter element of assembly 310, like assemblies 210, 110 and 10, isan inside out flow design in operation as shown. In operation the filterassembly 310 acts as a bowl-less or housing less in tank return linefilter. The filter assembly 310, including the integral filter element,is disposable, like assemblies 210 and 110. For replacement, the filtermount 314 is removed from the tank 12 and the inlet hose removed fromthe inlet connection 324. The inlet hose is coupled to the inletconnection 324 of the replacement assembly 310 and the mount 314 thereofattached to the tank 12. The entire assembly 310, including the mount314, is disposable and thus molding the mount 314 may be desirable forcost considerations.

All of the above embodiments may further include operational performanceenhancing features such as magnetic inserts located in the inlet of thefilter which operate to strain out magnetic particles increasing filterlife. For the shroud implementing embodiments the filter may furtherinclude mesh covered openings or the outlet space which evens out fluidflow, lowers fluid velocity and coalesces free air, all combining tode-aerate the fluid.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variouschanges may be made to the present invention without departing from thespirit and scope thereof. The spirit and scope of the present inventionis defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An in-tank filter assembly for an industrialfluid reservoir tank comprising: a filter assembly mount with tankcoupling elements to secure the assembly mount to a tank, and whereinthe mount includes an inlet connection configured to be coupled to thean inlet line of the tank; a bypass structure configured to selectivelyopen allowing flow to flow around the filter element into the tank inbypass operation; and a disposable filter element including at least atop end cap and a bottom end cap with filter media extending between thetop end cap and a lower end cap, wherein the filter assembly forms abowl-less in tank return line filter having inside-out flow.
 2. Thein-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank accordingto claim 1 wherein the mount includes a sealing flange configured toseal against cooperating surfaces of the tank.
 3. The in-tank filterassembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 1wherein the mount includes a hex shaped portion to facilitate thecoupling and uncoupling of the filter assembly with the tank, and aninlet tube extending above the hex shaped portion.
 4. The in-tank filterassembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 3wherein the inlet connection is coupled to the inlet tube throughconnectors.
 5. The in-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluidreservoir tank according to claim 1 wherein the bypass structure ispositioned in the mount forming an elevated flow path that avoids havingcontaminants within the interior space of the filter element fromflowing into the interior of the tank during bypass operation.
 6. Thein-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank accordingto claim 5 further including a filter element mount extending from thebypass structure with the filter element coupled to the filter elementmount.
 7. The in-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluid reservoirtank according to claim 6 wherein the filter element includes a filterelement coupling and wherein the filter element mount is threaded andcooperates with threads on the filter element coupling to remove-ablysecure the filter element to the filter assembly.
 8. The in-tank filterassembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 7wherein the filter element further includes an external support wrapextending between the top end cap and a lower end cap and a perforatedoutlet wrap radially spaced from the outer support wrap and extendingbetween the top end cap and a lower end cap.
 9. The in-tank filterassembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 7wherein the filter element further includes an inner fluid diverter tomodulate flow within the element supported on the lower end cap.
 10. Thein-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank accordingto claim 7 further including an inlet closing valve configured toselectively close off the inlet.
 11. The in-tank filter assembly for anindustrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 10 wherein thedisposable filter element includes a valve opening stem attached to thefilter element coupling and engaging with the valve when the filterelement is coupled to the filter assembly.
 12. The in-tank filterassembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 1wherein the mount includes a hex shaped portion to facilitate thecoupling and uncoupling of the filter assembly with the tank, and aninlet tube extending above the hex shaped portion and the inletconnection above the inlet tube, wherein the a hex shaped portion theinlet tube and the inlet connection are formed as an integral one piecestructure.
 13. The in-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluidreservoir tank according to claim 12 further including an outer shroudspaced from the media configured to direct returning fluid that flowsthrough the filter element to a position below fluid tank level in thetank before the fluid leaves the shroud.
 14. The in-tank filter assemblyfor an industrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 13 wherein theshroud includes lower outlets allowing the fluid to flow radially out ofthe shroud.
 15. The in-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluidreservoir tank according to claim 13 wherein the shroud includes anannular space between the lower end cap and the shroud allowing thefluid to flow out of the shroud.
 16. The in-tank filter assembly for anindustrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 12 wherein the bypassstructure is supported on the bottom end cap.
 17. The in-tank filterassembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank according to claim 16wherein the top end cap is integral with the mount.
 18. The in-tankfilter assembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tank according toclaim 1 wherein the tank coupling elements are locking lugs or threads.19. The in-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluid reservoir tankaccording to claim 1 wherein the inlet connection is a hose barbconnection.
 20. An in-tank filter assembly for an industrial fluidreservoir tank comprising: a filter assembly mount with tank couplingelements to secure the assembly mount to a tank, a hex shaped portion tofacilitate the coupling and uncoupling of the filter assembly with thetank, an inlet tube extending above the hex shaped portion and an inletconnection coupled to the inlet tube configured to be coupled to the aninlet line of the tank; a bypass structure configured to selectivelyopen allowing flow to flow around the filter element into the tank inbypass operation, positioned in the mount forming an elevated flow paththat avoids having contaminants within the interior space of the filterelement from flowing into the interior of the tank during bypassoperation; and a filter element mount extending from the bypassstructure with the filter element coupled to the filter element mount;and a disposable filter element including at least a top end cap and abottom end cap with filter media extending between the top end cap and alower end cap, wherein the filter assembly forms a bowl-less in tankreturn line filter having inside-out flow and a filter element couplingand wherein the filter element mount is threaded and cooperates withthreads on the filter element coupling to remove-ably secure the filterelement to the filter assembly.